Juliet Smith (Chairman) Expand Juliet has a background in education, leading schools in both the maintained and independent sectors, as well as being a qualified schools’ inspector. She has been a magistrate for almost three decades and was Chairman of Sussex Central Bench, as well as the East Sussex Magistrates’ Association. Other chairman experience has been in two Brighton schools, Brighton College and Brighton and Hove High. In 2015/16 Juliet was High Sheriff of East Sussex and is now Deputy Lieutenant of East Sussex.
Andy Gillies (Treasurer) Expand Andy joined the Board in March 2016 and chairs the Finance Committee. Andy is a chartered accountant with 25 years’ experience in the charity and public sectors. He is currently the Finance Director at the Health and Care Professions Council and has previously worked at the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, HM Treasury and the National Audit Office.
Kevin Smyth Trustee Expand Kevin joined the Board in April 1997, having first become involved with hospices and the hospice movement in the early 1980s when he was invited to join Coppercliff as Honorary Solicitor. Kevin has been a Director and Honorary Solicitor to the Martlets Hospice Ltd since the time of the merger in April 1997 and was Company Secretary until September 2016. Kevin currently practices as a Commercial Mediator, as well as having experience in clinical negligence.
Karen Blatchford Trustee Expand Karen joined the Board in 2018. She is a marketing professional with over 25 years of experience working in major financial services organisations. Karen has a BA(Hons) degree in business from Brighton University.She is currently Head of International Marketing for Old Mutual Wealth, leading a global marketing team serving customers in the UK and across the world. She has also worked at Legal & General and Family Assurance holding various Sales & Marketing roles. “I am honoured to join The Martlets in a trustee role as it is a charity I admire and have supported over many years.“
Barry Egan Trustee Expand Barry joined the Board in March 2016 and chairs the People Services and Remuneration Committee. Barry is currently Director of Human Resources at Amadeus and has previously worked for American Express, Ford Motor Company and IBM. Barry has extensive experience delivering high visibility, high value and complex business transformational projects across a variety of international markets.
Matthew Fletcher Trustee Expand Matthew joined the Board in August 2009 and is now Chairman of Martlets Clinical Governance Committee. Prior to retirement in 2011 Matthew was a Consultant Urological Surgeon at Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals Trust from 1986. During this time Matthew was also appointed as co-Chair, with the Director of Nursing, of the Directorate of Professional Practice and Clinical Governance and Director of Infection Prevention and Control, as part of his role as Medical Director.
Barry Hancock Trustee Expand Barry joined the Board in March 2016. Barry is an experienced risk professional and international business leader with a successful track record in senior management, risk management and board positions. Barry is strong in collaborative working and building relationships with clients. He has extensive experience of Board governance and a detailed understanding of the specific requirements associated with operating in a regulated environment.
Dick Knight Trustee Expand Dick joined the Board in August 2010. Dick's main career was in advertising and marketing - he founded a Top 10 London agency and went on to become chairman of a global advertising group. Dick was Chairman of Brighton & Hove Albion FC from 1997-2009 and has been Life President of the club from 2009 to date. He was also chairman of the club's charity arm, Albion in the Community, from 2005-2013. He is well known nationally for his work in advertising and football, and was made an Honorary Freeman of the City of Brighton & Hove in 2013.
Emily McWhirter Trustee Expand Emily joined the Board in March 2016. Emily has been a qualified nurse for over 25 years and has a PhD in nursing management, currently Emily is the Director of Nursing at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, in Putney. “I am incredibly honoured to be a Trustee for Martlets. The heart of this organisation centres around care and compassion at every level. As a nurse I understand how important this is for both those who are unwell and for their families and friends and I am delighted to be able to contribute to the growth and development of an organisation that is such a valuable part of our community.”
Ann Norman Trustee Expand Ann joined the Board in August 2010. Ann has a background in education and politics, having been elected as councillor of Withdean Ward in 1996. Ann is currently Chairman of the Audit and Standards Committee on Brighton and Hove City Council, a Trustee of the Brighton Fund and also a Trustee at The Keep Archives.
Duncan Stewart Trustee Expand Duncan joined the Board in June 2010, having been a Director of Martlets Care for a number of years prior to that; Duncan is also a Chaplaincy Volunteer for the Martlets. Duncan has a strong medical background having trained at Guy’s Hospital and at hospitals in Brighton, before going into General Practice in 1969. Duncan is the Vice Chair of the Sir Halley Stewart Trust which funds innovative research in Medicine, Religion and Social Enterprises. Duncan is also a trustee of SPRINT, a local charity which funds further education for members of the local hospital orthopaedic department.
Chris Thomas Trustee Expand Chris joined the Board in March 2016. Chris is a solicitor with over 20 years’ experience in private practice, more than half of which has been in Brighton. Along with a number of other local solicitors Chris has a longstanding connection with Martlets through support of their Wills Fortnight; he also provides advice on a voluntary basis through our legal clinics. “I consider Martlets to be one of the treasures of Brighton & Hove and I am honoured to be able to volunteer my time and expertise as a trustee. I hope to get to know many more of the staff and supporters of the Hospice over the coming years.”
Giles Ings Trustee Expand Giles joined the Board in January 2017. He is a founding director of ABIR Architects who have offices in Hove and the Scottish Highlands. Giles is chair of Mid Sussex District Council Design Review Panel and lectures architects and occupational therapists at Brighton University (part time).